Jaguars rush past Mustangs

The East Lincoln Mustangs jumped out to a 7-6 lead and held it midway through the second quarter. They were unable to sustain the advantage, ultimately losing 34-14.
The Mustangs fumble on the opening kickoff proved to be an ominous sign for the rest of the game.
Eastâ€™s first score came on a 26-yard connection between Grayson Shram and playmaking receiver Thomas Huntley. Ellis Dunston converted the extra point.
Fullback Rod scored on a 10-yard run that put Forestview ahead 21-7 in the third quarter. Mack added another 10-yard run for his third touchdown of the night extending the lead to 27-14.
Josh Jackson put the nail in the coffin in the fourth quarter with a 40-yard run. The Mustangs refused to quit, however, with Shram hooking up with Huntley again for a 29-yard fade which brought the score to 34-14.
In a frustrating scenario, East Lincoln continues to be careless with the football according to Rikard.
â€œItâ€™s the same story. They (the media) pretty much print the same thing every week,â€ he said.
Against the Jaguars, East lost four fumbles and threw an interception.
Rikard continues to be pleased with his teamâ€™s effort but believes certain plays just canâ€™t happen.
â€œThe team played well, but we had a muffed punt, fumbled kickoff and then turned around on fourth and inches and fumbled the ball before we even got to the line. You know itâ€™s frustrating,â€ he said.
Although frustrated by the mistakes, Rikard took nothing away from Forestview.
â€œThey have a good team. Theyâ€™re very sound offensively and good defensively. Their rushing attack is the best rushing attack weâ€™ve seen all year.â€
The Mustangs fall to 1-5 and 0-2 in the Big South 3A. Rikard voiced his thoughts about his teamâ€™s play to this point in the season.
â€œIt doesnâ€™t get any easier. We just have to keep plugging away. Defensively, weâ€™ve played well all year. This is probably the worst defensive performance this year but I think Forestview had a lot to do with it. Offensively, weâ€™re the moving the ball but weâ€™re turning it over in crucial situations. Weâ€™re putting the defense in a bad situation because they canâ€™t bail us out every time,â€ he said.
Against the Jaguars, Shram had a career night throwing for 254 yards on 17-of-34 passing with two touchdowns.
Shramâ€™s main target was Xavier Alexander who reeled in six passes for 86 yards. Huntley again proved to be the deep threat catching five passes for 114 yards and two scores.
Other receivers for East were: Antron Nixon with two catches for 30 yards and Seth Alexander with two catches for 22 yards.
Forestview rushed for 410 yards in the game compared to East Lincolnâ€™s 61 rushing yards. Jackson compiled 166 yards on 20 carries, while Mack had 17 for 149 yards.
The Mustang defense did hold the Jaguars to 25 yards passing.
by John Mark Brooks